GLOSSARY

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ac alternating current
ACR Attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
ADSL Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line
AHJ Authority Having Jurisdiction
ACEG Alternating Current Equipment Ground
AIA American Institute of Architects
ANSI American National Standards Institute
AP Access Provider
ARL Attenuation to Return Loss Ratio
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
ATIS Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
AWG American Wire Gauge
BC Bonding Conductor
BCD Backbone Conduit
BD Building Distributor
BEF Building Entrance Facilities
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

BER Bit Error Rate

BFOC Bayonet Fiber Optic Connector
BFOC/2.5 Bayonet Fiber Optic Connector 2.5 mm ferrule
BICSI Building Industry Consulting Service International
B-ISDN Broadband ISDN
BOCA Building Officials and Code Administrators
BOMA Building Owners and Managers Association
BRI Basic Rate ISDN
CATV Community Antenna Television; cable television
CBC Campus Backbone Cable
CBN Common Bonding Network
CCITT International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative
Committee
CD Campus Distributor
CEC Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-1

GLOSSARY

CLEC Competitive Local Exchange Carrier

CP Consolidation Point
CPE Customer Premises Equipment
CPU Central Processing Unit
CSA Canadian Standards Association
CSI Construction Specifications Institute
CSMA/CD Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection
Cu Copper
dc direct current
DCE Data Circuit Terminating Equipment
DEMARC Demarcation Point
DOC Communication Canada
DP Demarcation Point
DTE Data Terminal Equipment
DUT Device Under Test
EF Entrance Facility
EIA Electronic Industries Alliance
ELFEXT Equal Level Far-End Crosstalk
EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility
EMI Electromagnetic Interference
EMT Electrical Metallic Tubing
ENT Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing
EP Entrance Point

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

ER Equipment Room
FCC Federal Communications Commission
FD Floor Distributor
FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface
FEXT Far-End Crosstalk
ffs for further study
FIPS PUB Federal Information Processing Standard Publication
FOCIS Fiber Optic Connector Intermateability Standard
FOIRL Fiber Optic Inter-Repeater Link
F/STP Foil or Fully Shielded Twisted-Pair
FTP Foil Twisted-Pair
FTR Federal Telecommunications Recommendation
FWHM Full Width Half Maximum
HC Horizontal Cross-connect

3-2 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

HDG Heavy Duty Galvanized

HVAC Heating,Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
IBC Interconnecting Bonding Conductor
IBI Intelligent Buildings Institute
IC Intermediate Cross-connect
IC Integrated Circuit
ICEA Insulated Cable Engineers Association
IDC Insulation Displacement Connector
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
IEEE The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IFMA International Facility Management Association
ILD Insertion Loss Deviation
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
ISO International Organization for Standardization
ITU-T International Telecommunications Union
JTC Joint Technical Committee
KTS Key Telephone System
LAN Local Area Network
LCL Longitudinal Conversion Loss
LCTL Longitudinal Conversion Transfer Loss
LEC Local Exchange Carrier
LED Light Emitting Diode
MAU Media Attachment Unit
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

MAC Moves, Adds and Changes

MC Main Cross-connect
MCM Million Circular Mills
MDF Main Distribution Frame
MH Maintenance Hole
MPD Multiple Plastic Duct
MuTOA Multi-user Telecommunications Outlet Assembly
MUX Multiplexer
N/A Not Applicable
NBC National Building Codes of Canada
N-BNC N type to BNC converter
NCS National Communications System
NEC National Electrical Code
NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-3

GLOSSARY

NEXT Near-End Crosstalk

NESC National Electrical Safety Code
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
NID Network Interface Device
NIR Near-End Crosstalk to Insertion Loss Ratio
NIST National Institute for Standards and Technologies
NRTL National Recognized Testing Laboratory
NVP Nominal Velocity of Propagation
OCC Other Common Carriers
OSP Outside Plant
OTDR Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
PBX Private Branch Exchange
PDAM Proposed Draft Amendment
PDU Power Distribution Unit
PMD Physical Layer Medium Dependent
PSACR Power sum Attenuation to Crosstalk Ratio
PSELFEXT Power sum Equal Level Far-End Crosstalk
PSFEXT Power sum Far-End Crosstalk
PSNEXT Power sum Near-End Crosstalk
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride
R Resistance
REA Rural Electrification Agency
RFI Radio Frequency Interference

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

RH Relative Humidity
RL Return Loss
RMS Rack Mount Space
SC (Optical Fiber Connector) Subscriber Connector
SCC Standards Council of Canada
SCFOC/2.5 Duplex 568SC Optical Fiber Connector
SC-D Duplex SC Optical Fiber Connector
SCTE Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers
ScTP Screened Twisted Pair
SE Station Equipment
SP Service Provider
SRL Structural Return Loss
S/STP Screened Shielded Twisted-Pair
ST (see BFOC/2.5)

3-4 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

STI Surface Transfer Impedance

STP Shielded Twisted-Pair
STP-A Shielded Twisted-Pair (categorized to 300 MHz)
TBB Telecommunications Bonding Backbone
TBBIBC Telecommunications Bonding Backbone Interconnecting
Bonding Conductor
TDR Time Domain Reflectometer
TEF Telecommunications Entrance Facility
TGB Telecommunications Grounding Busbar
TIA Telecommunications Industry Association
TMGB Telecommunications Main Grounding Busbar
TO Telecommunications Outlet
TP Transition Point
TR Telecommunications Room
TSB Telecommunication System Bulletin
UL Underwriters Laboratories
ULC Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
UPC Universal Product Code
UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply
UTP Unshielded Twisted-Pair
WA Work Area
WAN Wide Area Network
WP Waterproof Outlet Box
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

X cross-connect

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-5

GLOSSARY

UNITS OF MEASURE

A amps
dB decibel
°C degrees Celsius
°F degrees Fahrenheit
ft foot
g acceleration of gravity
g gram
Hz hertz
in inch
J joule
kg kilo gram
kHz kilo hertz
km kilo meter
kN kilo newtons
kV kilo volt
kVA kilo volt amps
lbf pounds force
lx lux
m meter
mA milli ampere
mbs megabits per second
mg milligrams

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

MHz mega hertz
mm millimeter
N newton
nF nanometer
nm nonometer
ns nanosecond
pF picofarad
ppm parts per million
V volts
Vac volts alternate current
Vdc volts direct current
Vrms volts root mean square
µA micro amp
µg microgram
µm micrometer or micron
Ω ohm

3-6 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

DEFINITIONS
Access Floor
A system consisting of completely removable and interchangeable floor panels that are
supported on adjustable pedestals or stringers (or both) to allow access to the area
beneath. (Source ANSI/EIA/TIA-569-A)

Adapter
A device that enables any or all of the following:
a) different sizes or types of plugs to mate with one another or to fit into a
telecommunications outlet/connector,
b) the rearrangement of leads,
c) large cables with numerous wires to fan out into smaller groups of wires, and
d) interconnection between cables. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Adapter, Optical Fiber Duplex

See Optical Fiber Duplex Adapter. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Administration
The method for labeling, identification, documentation and usage needed to implement
moves, additions and changes of the telecommunications infrastructure. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-606)
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Aerial Cable
Telecommunications cable installed on aerial supporting structures such as poles, sides
of buildings, and other structures. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Alternate Entrance
A supplementary entrance facility into a building using a different routing to provide
diversity of service and for assurance of service continuity. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Antenna Entrance
A pathway facility from the antenna to the associated equipment. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Application
A system, with its associated transmission method of which is supported by telecom-
munications cabling. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-7

GLOSSARY

ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode. Technology selected by the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU, formerly CCITT) for broadband ISDN. This commu-
nications protocol is also under investigation by the ATM Forum (Foster City, CA) for
155 Mb/s transmission over twisted-pair cable.

Attenuation
The decrease in magnitude of transmission signal strength between points, expressed
in dB as the ratio of output to input signal levels. (source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Auxiliary disconnect outlet/connector, telecommunications

A device usually located within the tenant or living unit used to terminate the distribu-
tion or backbone cable. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-570-A)

Backbone
A facility (e.g. pathway, cables or conductors) between telecommunications rooms, or
floor distribution terminals, the entrance facilities and the equipment rooms within or
between buildings. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Backbone Cabling
Cable and connecting hardware that comprise the main and intermediate cross-con-
nects, as well as cable runs that extend between telecommunications closets, equip-
ment rooms and entrance facilities.

Backbone Raceway

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

The portion of the pathway system that permits the placing of main and high-volume
cables between the entrance location and all cross-connect points within a building and
between buildings. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Backbone System
The backbone system includes the pathways, pathway spaces, the backbone media and
the terminations.

Balanced Cable
A cable consisting of one or more metallic symmetrical cable elements (twisted pairs
or quads). (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Blank Cell
The hollow space of a cellular metal or cellular concrete floor unit without factory
installed fittings. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

3-8 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Bonding
The permanent joining of metallic parts to form an electrically conductive path that will
assure electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any current likely to be
imposed on it. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Bonding Conductor for Telecommunications

The conductor that interconnects the telecommunications bonding infrastructure to
the building’s service equipment (power) ground. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-607)

Building Backbone Cable

A cable that connects the building distributor to a floor distributor. Building backbone
cables may also connect floor distributors in the same building. (Source ISO/IEC
11801)

Building Core
A three-dimensional space permeating one or more floors of the building and used for
the extension and distribution of utility services (e.g. elevators, washrooms, stairwells,
mechanical and electrical systems, and telecommunications) throughout the building.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Building Distributor
A distributor in which the building backbone cable(s) terminate(s) and at which con-
nections to the campus backbone cable(s) may be made. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Building Entrance Facility

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

A facility that provides all necessary mechanical and electrical services, that complies
with all relevant regulations, for the entry of telecommunications cables into a building.
(Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Building Module
The standard selected as the dimensional coordination for the design of the building,
e.g., a multiple of 100 mm (4 in), since the international standards have established a
100 mm (4 in) basic module. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Buried Cable
A cable installed under the surface of the ground in such a manner that it cannot be
removed without disturbing the soil. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A,‘758)

Bridged Tap
The multiple appearances of the same cable pair at several distribution points. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A)

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-9

GLOSSARY

Cabinet
A container that may enclose connection devices, terminations, apparatus, wiring, and
equipment. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Cabinet Telecommunications, (Cabinet-T)

An enclosure used for terminating telecommunications cables, wiring and connection
devices with a hinged cover; usually flush mounted in the wall. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-
569-A)

Cable
An assembly of one or more insulated conductors or optical fibers within an envelop-
ing sheath. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Cable
An assembly of one or more insulated cable units of the same type and category in an
overall sheath. It may include an overall shield. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Cable Element
The smallest construction unit (for example pair, quad, or single fiber) in a cable. A
cable element may have a shield. (ISO/IEC 11801)

Cable Sheath
A covering over the optical fiber or conductor assembly that may include one or more
metallic members, strength members, or jackets. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Cable Unit
A single assembly of one or more cable elements of the same type or category. The
cable unit may have a shield. A binder group is an example of a cable unit.

Cabling
A combination of all cables, jumpers, cords and connecting hardware. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Cabling
A system of telecommunications cables, cords, and connecting hardware that can sup-
port the connection of information technology equipment. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Campus
The buildings and grounds having legal contiguous interconnection. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A & ‘758)

3-10 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Campus
A premises containing one or more buildings. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Campus Backbone Cable

A cable that connects the campus distributor to the building distributor(s). Campus
backbone cables may also connect building distributors directly. (Source ISO/IEC
11801)

Campus Distributor
The distributor from which the campus backbone cabling emanates. (Source ISO/IEC
11801)

Ceiling Distribution system

A distribution system that utilizes the space between a suspended or false ceiling and
the structural surface above. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Cell
A single raceway of a cellular or underfloor duct system. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Channel
The end-to-end transmission path between two points at which application-specific
equipment is connected. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Commercial Building
A building or portion of a building intended for office use. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Concrete Fill
A minimal-depth concrete pour to encase single-level underfloor duct. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Conduit
(1) A raceway of circular cross-section.
(2) A structure containing one or more ducts.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A) and (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)
Note: The term conduit includes electrical metallic tubing (EMT) or electrical non-
metallic tubing (ENT).

Connecting Hardware
A device providing mechanical cable terminations. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B).

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-11

GLOSSARY

Connecting Hardware Field

A single unit or element which contains one or more rows or columns for termination
of cabling. Examples of connecting hardware fields include an individual:
• 24-port patch panel,
• 100-pair, S110 connecting block,
• 50-pair, S66M1-50,
• optical fiber patch panel.

Cord, Telecommunications
A cable using stranded conductors for flexibility, as in distribution cords or line cords.
Line cords can also use tinsel conductors.

Cross-connect IXI

A facility enabling the termination of cable elements and their connection, primarily by
means of patch cords or jumpers. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Cross-connect IXI
A facility enabling the termination of cable elements and their interconnection, or cross-
connection. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Cross-connect, Horizontal
A cross-connect of horizontal cabling to other cabling (e.g. horizontal, backbone, equip-
ment).

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Cross-connection
A connection scheme between cabling runs, subsystems and equipment using patch
cords or jumpers that attach to connecting hardware on each end. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Crossover
The junction unit at the point of intersection of two cable trays, raceways, or conduit
(pathways) on different planes. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Crosstalk
Noise or interference caused by electromagnetic coupling from one signal path to
another. Crosstalk performance is generally expressed in decibels.

Customer Premises
Building(s) with grounds and appurtenances (belongings) under the control of the cus-
tomer. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

3-12 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

DC Resistance
The measure of a component’s inherent capability to impede the flow of DC current.

DC Resistance Unbalance
The measure of the difference in resistance values between adjacent pairs of objects.

Decibel (dB)
A standard unit for expressing transmission gain or loss and relative power levels.

Demarcation Point
A point where operational control or ownership changes. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Device (protection)
A protector, protector mount, protector unit or protector module.

Device (work area)

An item, such as a telephone, personal computer or graphic/video terminal. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Distribution Device
A facility located within the dwelling unit for interconnection or cross-connection.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-570-A)

Distribution Duct
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

A raceway of a rectangular cross-section placed within or just below the finished floor
and used to extend the wires or cables to a specific work area. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-
569-A)

Distribution Frame
A structure with terminations for connecting the permanent cabling of a facility in such
a manner that connection or cross-connections may be readily made. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Distributor
The term used for the functions of a collection of components (e.g. patch panels, patch-
cords) used to connect cables. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-13

GLOSSARY

Duct
1. A single enclosed raceway for conductors or cables. See also conduit, raceway.
2. A single enclosed raceway for wires or cables usually used in soil or concrete.
3. An enclosure in which air is moved. Generally part of the HVAC system of a
building. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Effectively Grounded
Intentionally connected to earth through a ground connection or connections of suffi-
ciently low impedance and having sufficient current carrying capacity to prevent the
buildup of voltages which may result in undue hazard to connected equipment or to
persons.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

The interference in signal transmission or reception caused by the radiation of electri-
cal and magnetic fields.
Radiated or conducted electomagnetic energy that has an undesirable effect on elec-
tronic equipment or signal transmission.

Electrical Closet
A floor-serving facility for housing electrical equipment, panelboards, and controls. The
closet is the recognized interface between the electrical backbone riser and its associ-
ated pathway.

Electronic Industries Association (EIA)

A standards organization that specializes in the electrical and functional characteristics

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

of interface equipment. The organization sets standards for interfaces to ensure com-
patibility between data communications equipment and data terminal equipment.

Emergency Power
A stand-alone secondary electrical supply source not dependent upon the primary elec-
trical source. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Entrance Facility, Telecommunications

An entrance to a building for both public and private network service cables (including
wireless) including the entrance point of the building and continuing to the entrance
room or space. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Entrance Point, Telecommunications

The point of emergence of telecommunications cabling through an exterior wall, a
floor, or from a conduit. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

3-14 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Entrance Room or Space, Telecommunications

A space in which the joining of inter- or intrabuilding telecommunications backbone
facilities takes place. An entrance room may also serve as an equipment room. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Equipment Cable
A cable connecting equipment to a distributor. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Equipment Cable
A cable or cable assembly used to connect telecommunications equipment to horizon-
tal or backbone cabling systems. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Equipment Room
A room dedicated for housing distributors and application specific equipment. (Source
ISO/IEC 11801)

Equipment Room, Telecommunications

An environmentally controlled centralized space for telecommunications equipment
that usually houses a main or intermediate cross-connect. An equipment room is con-
sidered distinct from the telecommunications closet because of the nature and com-
plexity of the equipment it houses. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Exothermic Weld
A method of permanently bonding two metals together by a controlled heat reaction
resulting in a molecular bond. (Source ANAI/TIA/EIA-607)
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

False Ceiling
See suspended ceiling.

Feeder Duct
See Header Duct. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Firestop System
A specific construction consisting of the material(s) (firestop penetration seals) that fill
the opening in the wall or floor assembly and any items that penetrate the wall or floor,
such as cables,cable trays,conduit,ducts,pipes,and any termination devices,such at elec-
trical outlet boxes, along with their means or support. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-15

GLOSSARY

Floor Distributor
The distributor used to connect between the horizontal cable and other cabling sub-
systems or equipment. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Floor Slab
That part of a reinforced concrete floor, which is carried on beams below. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Generic Cabling
A structured telecommunications cabling system, capable of supporting a wide range
of applications. It can be installed without prior knowledge of the required applica-
tions. Application specific hardware is not part of generic cabling.
(Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Ground
A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an electrical cir-
cuit (telecommunications) or equipment and earth, or to some conducting body that
serves in place of the earth. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-607)

Grounding Electrode
A conductor, usually a rod, pipe or plate (or group of conductors) in direct contact with
the earth for the purpose of providing a low-impedance connection to the earth.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-607)

Grounding Electrode System

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

For definition use the terminology as specified in NEC,Article 250 Part H.

Header Duct
A raceway of rectangular cross-section placed within the floor to tie distribution duct(s)
or cell(s) to the telecommunications closet. Often referred to as feeder duct or
trenchduct. A trenchduct is a feeder duct installed flush with the finished floor having
removable covers through its entire length and dividers to separate the service. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Home-Run
A pathway or cable between two locations without a point of access in between.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Horizontal Cabling
A cable connecting the floor distributor to the telecommunications outlet(s). (Source
ISO/IEC 11801)

3-16 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Horizontal Cabling
The cabling between and including the telecommunications outlet/connector and the
horizontal cross-connect. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Horizontal Cross-connect
A cross-connect of horizontal cabling to other cabling (e.g. horizontal, backbone or
equipment). (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Hub
In Local Area Networks, it is the core of a star topology; seen in ARCNET, Ethernet and
Token Ring applications. Hub hardware can be either active or passive.

Hybrid Cable
An assembly of two or more cables of different types or categories covered by one over-
all sheath. It may be covered by an overall shield. (Source ISO/IEC 11801 and
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

IEEE 802.3
A physical layer standard specifying a LAN with a CSMA/CD access method on a bus
topology. 10BASE-T, Ethernet and Starlan all follow the 802.3 standard. Typically they
transmit at 10 megabits per second.

IEEE 802.5
A physical layer standard specifying a LAN with token-passing access method on a ring
topology. Used by IBM’s Token Ring hardware. Typical transmission speed is 4 or 16
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

megabits per second.

Infrastructure, Telecommunications
A collection of those telecommunications components, excluding equipment, that
together provide the basic support for the distribution of all information within a build-
ing or campus. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Individual Work Area

The minimum building space which would be reserved for an occupant. (Source
ISO/IEC 11801)

Insert
An opening into the distribution duct or cell from which the wires or cables emerge.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-17

GLOSSARY

Insert, After set

Installed after the installation of the concrete floor slab or other flooring material.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Insert, Preset
Installed prior to the installation of the concrete floor slab or other flooring material.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Inter-building backbone
The backbone telecommunications cable(s) that are part of the campus subsystem that
connect from one building to another. Inter-building backbone may be installed using
underground (in conduit), direct buried, aerial or tunnel methods.

Interconnect
A location at which equipment cables are terminated and connected to the cabling sub-
systems without using a patch cord or jumper. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Interconnection
A connection scheme that provides for the direct connection of individual cables to
another cable or to an equipment cable without a patch cord.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Intermediate Cross-connect
A cross-connect between first and second level backbone cabling. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Intrabuilding backbone
The backbone telecommunications cable(s) that are part of the building subsystem that
connect one closet to another. Installation methods include ceiling, cable tray and con-
duit.

Jack Header
A raceway similar to a header duct, usually provided in shorter lengths to connect a
quantity of distribution ducts together. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Jumper
An assembly of twisted pairs without connectors, used to join telecommunications cir-
cuits/links at the cross-connect. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A)

3-18 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Jumper
A cable unit or cable element without connectors used to make a connection on a
cross-connect. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Keying
The mechanical feature of a connector system that guarantees correct orientation of a
connection, or prevents the connection to a jack or optical fiber adapter of the same
type intended for another purpose. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B, ISO/IEC 11801))

Link
A transmission path between two points, not including terminal equipment, work area
cables, and equipment cables. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Link
A transmission path between any two interfaces of generic cabling. It excludes equip-
ment and work area cables. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Local Exchange Carrier (LEC)

The local regulated telecommunications provider of public switched network access
services. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Main Cross-connect
A cross-connect for 1st level backbone cables, entrance cables, and equipment cables.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Media, Telecommunications
Wire, cable, or conductors used for telecommunications. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Minimum point of entry

Either (1) the closest practicable point to where the carrier facilities cross the proper-
ty line, or (2) the closest practicable point to where the carrier facilities enter a multi-
tenant building. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Modular Jack
A female telecommunications outlet/connector that may be keyed or unkeyed as
defined in the FCC Part 68 Subpart F. Modular jacks can have 6 or 8 contact positions,
but not all the positions need be equipped with contacts.

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-19

GLOSSARY

Modular Plug
A male telecommunications connector for cables or cords that may be keyed or
unkeyed, as defined in the FCC Part 68 Subpart F. Modular plugs can have 4, 6 or 8 con-
tact positions, but not all the positions need be equipped with contacts.

Monolithic pour
The single, continuous pouring of a concrete floor and columns of any given floor of a
building structure. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Multimedia
1. An application that communicates to more than one of the human sensory
receptors.
2. Applications that communicate information by more than one means. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Multimode Optical Fiber

An optical fiber that carriers many paths of light. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Multi-pair Cable:
A twisted-pair (balanced) cable constructed of more than 4-pairs. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Multiple Access Unit (MAU)

A wiring concentrator used in Local Area Networks. A device that allow terminals, PCs,
printers and other devices to be connected in a star-based configuration. MAU hard-

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

ware can be either active or passive.

Near-End Crosstalk (NEXT)

The undesired coupling of a signal from one pair of wires to another. Signal distortion
as a result of signal coupling from one pair to another at various frequencies.

Network Demarcation Point

The point of interconnection between the local exchange carrier’s telecommunication
facilities and the telecommunications systems wiring and equipment at the end user’s
facility. This point shall be located on the subscriber’s side of the telephone company’s
protector or the equivalent thereof in cases where a protector is not required.

Nominal Velocity of Propagation (NVP)

The coefficient used to determine the speed of transmission along a cable relative to
the speed of light in a vacuum.

3-20 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Optical Fiber Cable

An assembly consisting of one or more optical fibers. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Optical Fiber Duplex Adapter

A mechanical device designed to align and join two duplex optical fiber connectors
(plugs) to form an optical duplex connection. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Optical Fiber Duplex Connection

A mated assembly of two duplex connectors and a duplex adapter. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Optical Fiber Duplex Connector

A mechanical media termination device designed to transfer optical power between
two pairs of optical fibers. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Optical Fiber Polarity

Optical fiber networks usually transmit on one fiber and receive on a second. Hence
the term polarity. However, the description of transmit and receive depends on the geo-
graphic origin. From a given point, the transmit fiber ultimately becomes the receive
fiber at the far end.

Outlet Box, Telecommunications

A housing used to hold telecommunications outlet/connectors. (source ANSI/TIA/EIA-
569-A)
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Outlet/Connector, Telecommunications
A connecting device in the work area on which horizontal cable or outlet cable termi-
nates. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B,‘570-A)

Pair
A twisted pair or one side circuit (two diametrically facing conductors) in a star quad.
(Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Patch Cord
A length of cable with a plug on one or both ends. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Patch Cord
Flexible cable unit or element with connector(s), used to establish connections on a
patch panel. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-21

GLOSSARY

Patch Panel
Connecting hardware system that facilitates cable termination and cabling administra-
tion using patch cords.

Patch Panel
A cross-connect designed to accommodate the use of patch cords. It facilitates admin-
istration for moves and changes. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Pathway
A facility for the placement of telecommunications cable. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Permanent Link
A test configuration for a link excluding test cords and patch cords. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Permanent Link
The transmission path between two mated interfaces or generic cabling, excluding
equipment cables, work area cables and cross-connections. (Source ISO/IEC 11801:
2000 Edition 1.2)

Plaster Ring
A metal or plastic plate that attaches to wallboard or a wall stud for the purpose of
mounting a telecommunications faceplate. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Plenum

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

A compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connected and that
forms part of the air distribution system. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Poke-Thru System
Penetrations through the fire resistive floor structure to permit the installation of hori-
zontal telecommunications cables. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Post-tensioned Concrete
A type of reinforced concrete construction in which the steel is put under tension and
the concrete under compression, after the concrete has hardened. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

3-22 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Private Branch Exchange (PBX)

A private switching system usually serving an organization, such as a business, located
on the customer’s premises. It switches calls both inside a building or premises and out-
side to the telephone network, and can sometimes provide access to a computer from
a data terminal.

Public Network Interface

A point of demarcation between public and private network. In many cases the public
network interface is the point of connection between the network provider’s facilities
and the customer premises cabling. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Pullcord; Pullwire
Cord or wire placed within a raceway and used to pull wire and cable through the race-
way. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Pull Strength
See pull tension. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Pull Tension
The pulling force that can be applied to a cable. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Punch Down
A method of securing wire to a wiring terminal in which the insulated wire is placed in
the terminal groove and pushed down with a special tool. As the wire is seated, the ter-
minal displaces the conductor insulation to make an electrical connection, and the
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

tool’s blade trims the wire flush with the terminal. Also called “cut down.”

Raceway
Any enclosed channel designed for holding wires or cables. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Return Loss
A ratio expressed in dB of the power of the outgoing signal to the power of the reflect-
ed signal. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Screened Twisted Pair (ScTP)

A balanced cable with an overall screen.

Service Fitting
An outlet box to house the connections for telecommunications at the user work area.
See also insert. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-23

GLOSSARY

Sheath
See Cable Sheath. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Shield
A metallic layer placed around a conductor or group of conductors.
Note: The shield may be the metallic sheath of the cable or the metallic layer inside
nonmetallic sheath. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Shielded Cables
An assembly of two or more balanced twisted pair cable elements or one or more quad
cable elements wrapped by an overall screen or shield contained within a common
sheath or tube. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

A cable medium with one or more pairs of twisted insulated copper conductors sur-
rounded by metallic braid or foil and bound in a single plastic sheath.

Shielded Twisted Pair Cables

An electrically conducting cable comprising one or more elements, each of which is
individually shielded. There may be an overall shield, in which case the cable is referred
to as a shielded twisted pair cable with an overall shield.
(Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Single-Mode Optical Fiber

An optical fiber that carries only one path of light. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Slab on grade
Concrete floor placed directly on soil, without basement or crawlspace. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Sleeve
An opening, usually circular, through the wall, ceiling, or floor to allow the passage of
cables. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Slip Sleeve
An oversized conduit that moves easily along an inner conduit and covers a gap or miss-
ing part of the smaller conduit. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

3-24 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Slot
An opening through a wall, floor, or ceiling, usually rectangular, to allow the passage of
cables. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Sneak Current
A low-level current that is of insufficient strength to trigger electrical surge protectors
and, therefore, is able to pass through them undetected. These currents may result from
contact between communications lines and AC power circuits or from power induc-
tion, and may cause equipment damage due to overheating.

Space, Telecommunications
An area used for housing the installation and termination of telecommunications equip-
ment and cable, e.g. common equipment rooms, equipment rooms, common telecom-
munications rooms, telecommunications rooms, work areas, and maintenance
holes/handholes. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Spiral (Speed) Wrap Cable

An assembly of two or more individual cables, of any recognized type or category, which
are bound together by some form of ribbon or tape, to form a single, unitized con-
struction.

Splice
A joining of conductors in a splice closure, meant to be permanent. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Splice Box
A box, located in a pathway run, intended to house a cable splice. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Splice Closure
A device used to protect a splice. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Support Strand
A strength element used to carry the weight of the telecommunications cable. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A,‘570-A)

Suspended Ceiling
A ceiling that creates an area or space between ceiling material and the structure above.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-25

GLOSSARY

Star Topology
A topology in which each telecommunications outlet/connector is directly cabled to
the distribution device. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Star Quad
A cable element which comprises four insulated conductors twisted together. Two dia-
metrically facing conductors form a transmission pair.
Note: Cables containing star quads can be used interchangeably with cables consist-
ing of pairs, provided the electrical characteristics meet the same specifications.
(Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Telecommunications
Any transmission, emission and reception of signs, signals, writing, images and sounds,
that is information of any nature by cable, radio, optical or other electromagnetic sys-
tems. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Telecommunications
A branch of technology concerned with the transmission, emission and reception of
signs, signals, writing, images and sounds; that is, information of any nature by cable,
radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems. The term telecommunications has no
legal meaning when used in this international document. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Telecommunications Room
An enclosed space for housing telecommunications equipment, cable terminations, and
cross-connect cabling. The telecommunications room is a recognized cross-connect

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

point between the backbone and horizontal cabling subsystems. (Source ISO/IEC
11801)

Telecommunications Entrance Facility

See Entrance Facility, Telecommunications. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Telecommunications Equipment Room

See Equipment Room, Telecommunications. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Telecommunications Grounding Busbar

A common point of connection for telecommunications system and equipment bond-
ing to ground, and located in the telecommunications room or equipment room.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-607)

3-26 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)

A standards organization that, among other activities, specializes in the electrical and
functional characteristics of interface equipment. The organization sets standards for
interfaces to ensure compatibility between data communications equipment and data
terminal equipment.

Telecommunications Infrastructure
See Infrastructure, Telecommunications. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A)

Telecommunications Outlet
A fixed connecting device where the horizontal cable terminates. The telecommunica-
tions outlet provides the interface to the work area cabling. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Telecommunications Outlet
See Outlet, Telecommunications. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A)

Telecommunications Room
An enclosed space for housing telecommunications equipment, cable terminations, and
cross-connect cabling, that is the recognized location of the horizontal cross-connect.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Terminal
a) A point at which information may enter or leave a communications network; or
b) The input-output associated equipment; or
c) A device by means of which wires may be connected to each other. (Source
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Termination Hardware
This term is outmoded, use connecting hardware. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Topology
The physical or logical arrangement of a telecommunications system. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Transfer Impedance
A measure of shielding performance determined by the ratio of the voltage on the con-
ductors enclosed by a shield to the surface currents on the outside of the shield.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-27

GLOSSARY

Transition Point
A location in the horizontal cabling where flat undercarpet cable connects to round
cable. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)

Transition Point
A location in the horizontal cabling where a change of cable form takes place; e.g. flat
cable connects to round cable or cables with differing numbers of elements are joined.
(Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Trough
A pathway for the containment of cable typically provided with a removable cover.
(Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Trunk
A communication line between two switching systems. The term “switching system”
typically includes equipment in a central office (the telephone company) and PBXs. A
tie trunk connects PBXs. Central office trunks connect a PBX to the switching system
at the central office.

Twisted Pair
A cable element which consists of two insulated conductors twisted together in a reg-
ular fashion to form a balanced transmission line. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

A cable medium with one or more pairs of twisted insulated copper conductors bound

© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

in a single plastic sheath.

Unshielded Twisted Pair

An electrically conducting cable comprising one or more pairs none of which is shield-
ed. There may be an overall shield, in which case the cable is referred to as unshielded
twisted pair with an overall shield. (Source ISO/IEC 11801)

Usable Floor Space

Floor space which is capable of being used as a work area. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Utility Column
An enclosure extending from the ceiling to furniture or to the floor that forms a pathway
for electrical wiring, telecommunications cable or both. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

3-28 Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J

 GLOSSARY

Wire
An individually insulated solid or stranded metallic conductor. (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-
568-B)

Work Area
A building space where the occupants interact with telecommunications terminal
equipment. (Source ISO/IEC 11801) and (Source ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A)

Work Area Cable (Cord)

A cable connecting the telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment. (Source
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)
Work Area Cluster
A contiguous group of work areas that does not span aisles.
© The Siemon Company (Confidential) January 1, 2002

Siemon Cabling System Training Manual IS-1821-01 Rev. J 3-29